Marketing Breakthroughs Stomps on Cancer

Sept. 21, 2009 - It was the perfect Sunday in Ottawa to be stomping grapes, making pasta, flipping pizza dough, and raising money for cancer research. The Marketing Breakthroughs team (pictured below) was at the event, doing its part for cancer research. Caitlin Hines, Casey O'Brien, Derek Smith, and Elise Goodhoofd were able to raise $890 for the cause while having a great time in Ottawa's Little Italy.

"It's a great cause and a really fun event," said Derek Smith, Marketing Breakthroughs' Social Media Specialist. "I've never made wine like that before."

The 2009 La Vendemmia Grape Stomp brought out hundreds of people looking to do their part in raising money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation by dipping their toes in a barrel full of cold grapes. Since 1997, La Vendemmia has been Ottawa 's Celebration of Italian Wine & Food held in the heart of Little Italy, Preston Street. On Sunday, September 20th, 2009, hundreds of locals kept the tradition alive by partaking in traditional Italian activities.

Bleachers were set up for the grape stomping event at the Adult High School on Preston Street, where 36 teams competed in a series of timed events. Although the competition was fierce, it was all in the name of good fun, and an excellent excuse to get the people of Ottawa out supporting a worthy cause.

With the recent street reconstruction taking place along Preston Street, it was a heart-warming surprise to see so many people in the community showing their support for the area and for cancer research. This year's event saw a drastic increase in participation, as more and more people in the Ottawa region have heard about this one of kind event.

"Last year we saw 25 teams participate," said Tara Beechey, Event Manager of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. "We were fortunate enough to see 36 teams sign up this year, and over $12,000 was raised!"

Way to go Marketing Breakthroughs team!

For a listing of all the results and participants, visit Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation's 2009 Grape Stomp page.

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